Rapper DMX arrested, thrown in jail

DMX, who’s real name is Earl Simmons, was booked into the Spartanburg County jail around 2 a.m. He was charged with driving without a license.

Simmons went before a judge at 6 a.m. and was released a short time later after paying a fine.

He spoke with FOX Carolina after leaving the jail where he said an officer spotted him at a local gas station, followed him a short distance then pulled him over. He said he was arrested because he did not have a license.

“When I could have just paid the money right there on the spot,” Simmons told FOX Carolina. “Basically it was just five hours wasted for nothing. I don’t have a court date or a court appearance.”

He said he also had his five-month-old daughter in the car when he was arrested.

According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy recognized Simmons at the Li’l Cricket on Gap Creek Road just before 1 a.m. Deputies said after he went inside the store, he came back outside and got in the driver’s seat then drove away.

Deputies said Simmons had been issued tickets in Greer and Duncan, accused of driving without a license, and a state DMV search showed he only had a state identification card on him. After pulling him over, deputies said the car was turned over to a licensed passenger riding in the car.

Simmons spoke with FOX Carolina in late 2011, when he said he planned to relocate to the Upstate. Since then, he has been spotted by fans at several area restaurants and businesses.